Herefordshire ace Lea Wood frustrated after BTCC Croft collision (From Hereford Times)

Herefordshire ace Lea Wood frustrated after BTCC Croft collision

10:00am Thursday 28th June 2012 in Sport By Richard Prime

“A SAD end to a rough day” was Lea Wood’s verdict on a disappointing fifth round of the British Touring Car Championship at Croft.

The Herefordshire driver’s afternoon ended abruptly when his Binz Racing Vauxhall Vectra involved in a collision with Liam Griffin on the last of the day’s three races, leaving him unable to continue.

“There was a lot of damage to the side and to the front but fortunately it did not knock the suspension,” said Wood. “I had to dive out through the passenger side of the car and, just as I did, Liam Griffin’s car caught fire.”

Wood had started the final race from 19th on the grid after a puncture in the previous race had cost him any chance of a decent finish.

Wood had qualified 17th on the grid for the first race.

“It was not too bad as there were only four 10ths of a second separating 12th to 18th,” he said.

“There was a big crash on the first straight in the first race but I managed to avoid that by pulling off the track but that left me last before the first bend.

“I steered clear of danger and got past a couple to finish in 13th.

“Then, race two started well and I was up to 10th before the puncture.”

Wood had begun the day in 11th place in the drivers’ championship but has now slipped back to 14th. “I’m level on points with two other drivers and only 11 points off 10th place,” he said. “It can all change after one race.

“We have a few weeks now before the next round at Snetterton on August 12 so the engine will come out for its annual check and we can do some more testing before we get going again.”

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